While state, county, and local coronavirus cases and deaths continue to incrementally increase, another large swath of businesses and sites are preparing to open under an accelerated Phase 2 plan released June 7 by Governor Ned Lamont.

View specific Phase 2 guidelines by CLICKING HERE

As of Tuesday, June 9, at 8:30 pm, the latest report made available before press time, the total of laboratory-confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported among Connecticut residents was 44,347, including 42,448 laboratory-confirmed and 1,899 probable cases. At that time, 270 patients were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, and the state had tallied 4,120 COVID-19-associated deaths.

Thirty-two of those deaths occurred among Newtown residents, according to local Health District Director Donna Culbert, who also reported 229 positive cases to date among community members. Although Fairfield County continues to lead the state in positive COVID-19 cases with 16,134 as of June 10, Hartford County has almost surpassed Fairfield County in the number of virus-related deaths.

On June 10, the state reported a total of 1,303 deaths among Hartford County’s 10,924 total cases, while Fairfield County stood at 1,321 deaths among its 16,134 total COVID-19 cases.

That statewide report continues to show hospitalizations decreasing, a trend that has remained virtually constant for more than three weeks.

Looking toward more widespread reopenings, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal has brought all municipal employees back to work after having most departments on staggered shifts for weeks, and on June 8, Community Center Director Matt Ariniello announced that a phased opening of that facility will begin on Monday, June 22.

That announcement came, along with news of more Parks & Rec facilities reopening, in The Newtown Bee’s 14th “COVID-19 Clip” video, which can be seen below.

Beyond the brief orientation Ariniello provided, an accompanying schedule outlines the following:

Phase A — June 22: Members can access the facility with restrictions; opening of summer youth programs;

Phase B — June 29: Begin modified water aerobics programs; parent and tot swim lessons; Level 5 and 6 swim lessons resume;

Phase C — July 6: Health and wellness programs (indoor and outdoor classes will be available); continuation of spring session swim lessons (Saturday lessons begin July 11 due to July 4 holiday); Crafternoon, Kids Cove and other toddler programs; birthday parties; facility rentals with capacity restrictions;

Phase D — Date TBD: Senior-based specialized programs; allow guest passes and day passes; reopening of the Better Day Café; open children’s play area.

Local Tax Deferments

In the video, Rosenthal reminded those who are financially challenged due to COVID-19 related job losses, furloughs, or reduced work opportunities that the Legislative Council has approved extending the current 30-day tax payment grace period.

That period, which was originally set to end on August 3, is now extended to October 1 for any taxes on real property, personal property, or motor vehicles, or municipal water and sewer charges or assessments for such tax charge, or assessment from the time that it became due and payable.

The grace period for sewer charges, due June 1, will be 90 days, extended to September 1.

Eligible taxpayers are those that suffered a reduction in income of at least 20 percent by COVID-19. Those eligible and those with questions are invited to contact the tax office before July 1, at 203-270-4320 or donna.saputo@newtown-ct.gov.

Some Restrictions Modified

On June 10, Governor Ned Lamont signed his 52nd Executive Order, No. 7YY, enacting the following provisions:

Resumption of court filing deadlines: Amends Executive Order No. 7G, Section 2, which suspended requirements and deadlines related to Supreme, Appellate, and Superior Court filings; certain requirements have been reinstated to assist the Judicial Branch in its plans to resume more court business.

DMV extensions and modifications: Makes adjustments to several different functions administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow customers to conduct more business remotely and reduce the need for in-person visits to DMV branches and affiliates. They include issuance of certain motor vehicle registrations; extension of time for transfer of motor vehicle registration to beneficiary; waiver of temporary registration fee and timing of charge for use tax; postponement of instructor proficiency test; extension of time for driving instructors to submit medical certification; DMV authorization for online or remote training; and dealer issuance of permanent vessel registrations.

Gun permit fingerprinting returns: Repeals the halt on fingerprinting for gun permits, effective June 15. A federal ruling this week rolled back COVID-related executive branch order 7E, Section 2, which had suspended fingerprinting for gun permits. Gun rights groups challenged Lamont’s pandemic emergency order, one that effectively halted the collection and processing of fingerprints necessary to obtain a gun permit in Connecticut for months.

US District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer’s ruling on June 9 overturned Lamont’s order, saying a “continuing categorical elimination of fingerprinting is not necessary.” Meyer ordered the state to resume taking fingerprints for gun permits by June 15.

Lamont confirmed that his administration was “about to do that anyway” as part of the state’s next reopening phase.